Potential Meeting Between Zelensky and Putin: US and Europe Discuss Hungary as a Venue
Sources within the US administration suggest that a upcoming meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin could take place in Hungary.
This possibility is being actively considered amidst preparations for a potential trilateral summit involving Trump, Zelensky, and Putin.
Although the Kremlin has not officially agreed, US officials believe Hungary might serve as a suitable diplomatic venue for the high-stakes negotiations.
This scenario gains additional relevance given that in March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin, accusing him of unlawfully deporting thousands of Ukrainian children.
The issuance of the warrant creates legal risks for Putin, as any ICC member country has the authority to detain him.
Meanwhile, in April 2025, Hungary announced plans to exit the ICC during a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is also subject to the arrest warrant.
Additionally, media reports indicate that the US and European allies have agreed that a trilateral meeting could take place somewhere within Europe.
During a recent virtual summit called the “Decisive Coalition,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni proposed Rome as a potential venue, while French President Emmanuel Macron suggested Geneva.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also stated that Zelensky and Putin might meet within the next two weeks.